Could Chinese cars be used as a “weapon” in case tensions boil over in the West Philippine Sea? That’s the concern pointed out by one UK-based car trading platform.
UK car trading platform HonkHonk says that increasingly sophisticated cars imported from China could potentially brick or “blue screen” themselves like a computer if international conflict does erupt. Political tensions, HonkHonk says, could potentially make high-tech Chinese cars a “less reliable bet” for car buyers.
The risk stems from the increasing sophistication of cars, a growing number of which rely on regular manufacturer software updates to run at their best.
HonkHonk says that despite discredited viral social media conspiracy theories about outside actors ‘bricking’ EVs in particular, the less dramatic risk of software fixes being turned off or blocked cannot be ignored for some foreign-manufactured cars.
In the case of internet-connected Chinese cars, the risk of an international collapse in diplomatic relations appears to be increasing as tensions rise over the West Philippine Sea (and also Taiwan).
So-called over-the-air updates are an increasingly common option in the latest cars, providing additional features, the chance to customize the driving experience or receive warnings of potential issues requiring dealer attention.
The cybersecurity industry has frequently warned that poorly designed systems connecting cars to the internet pose the risk of hackers gaining access to vehicle computers.
This year, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) tightened cybersecurity standards for manufacturers to protect drivers from risks of hacking, but interference with a car’s performance may not only come from malicious third parties, says HonkHonk.
Chinese electric car brands are projected to take up a sizeable chunk of the market in the coming years (up to a sixth or about 16 percent in the UK within the next six years), and many of these vehicles are ultra-sophisticated, relying on software tweaks to optimize performance.
Controversy has already erupted over accusations of Chinese state subsidies making export car prices unfairly competitive in the global market, particularly in Europe, and warnings have been issued that the EU could retaliate by imposing tariffs.
Sebastien Duval, CEO of HonkHonk, said: “Forget the TikTok and YouTube conspiracy theories—the fact is that even the European Council on Foreign Relations has published a warning of potential future concerns with national security if targeted surveillance and mass espionage is suspected.
“While it’s unlikely that Chinese manufacturers themselves would sabotage their own products in their third biggest European market we believe that the main risk may come from our own national security measures.
“Already China is limiting the operation of Teslas in locations the government there deem sensitive. The UK may have a better record on freedom than China, but in the event of a dramatic escalation in tensions or a complete collapse in trust nobody can be certain how this might impact drivers in the UK.
“It might not be a crisis now and there may be plenty of conspiratorial misinformation on social media, but we believe this conversation should be started sooner rather than later.
“Car buyers are mostly not currently aware of potential problems in the future and we’re calling for that discussion to start now.”
One publication by the ECFR (European Council on Foreign Relations) identifies a number of areas in which internet-connected Chinese cars could pose concerns for governments, who may consider addressing them with restrictions. These include potentially limiting concentrations of certain vehicles in specific areas and introducing restrictions on over-the-air software updates (read the report here).
Sebastien Duval added: “Car software glitches have been happening for decades, but there have been more recent cases of over-the-air software changes leaving a car inoperable.
“This suggests that there is a genuine potential risk of future problems with Chinese cars in particular, which could be caused by political problems which are completely out of drivers’ control.
“It is time to give car buyers a clearer picture of these possible risks.”
if am not mistaken, tesla has been ban on all govt premises in china for security reason they say.
ReplyDeleteCommending carguide for this article. Certainly some car news websites/FB pags in PH will not publish this given the fact that they just went to an autoshow in China for free
ReplyDeleteyeah. most of the automotive journalist in the Philippines are asskissers... but I can't blame them. they probably got mouths to feed.
DeleteThe Chinese have a history of blocking other countries they dislike. They forced the South Korean supermarket chain Lotte to close. When Australia asked them about the history of Covid and whether it started in Wuhan they stopped importing many Australian imports. People tend to forget EVERY company in China is subject to government oversight.
ReplyDeleteThats what happened when ph file for arbitration against china on west ph sea issues - they banned ph exports of fruits, ph banana rots on china ports whch result to losses on ph companies.
DeleteThats impossible to happen right, I mean even if they could they would just ruin their brands and no one would buy them anymore anywhere in the world except china.
ReplyDeleteAno na? Saan na mga chinese car lovers dito?
ReplyDeleteThis is just another fear mongering trick created by Europeans who are heavily intimidated by the presence of Chinese car manufacturers in their territory
ReplyDeleteChina won't wage war in the Philippines as its America who'll start firing and create a war against China in order to make money from it.
We shouldn't buy Chinese cars to support our claims of the West Phil. Sea
ReplyDeleteAs if you can afford one
DeleteIyak si Geely Marites lmao
ReplyDeleteGeely is a privately owned Chinese car company just like GWM,JAC and BYD
DeleteThese companies won't easily follow whatever PLA and CCP said as they're doing businesses in privately.
China has a law that compelled private companies to share all info to the CCP.
DeleteJournalist capture. No different from Doctors getting paid trips and bonuses from Pharma companies.
ReplyDeletejust another hitpiece trying to hurt China's economy
ReplyDeleteEuropeans are afraid of Chinese vehicles especially the progressive and highly advanced ones when it comes to EV tech
DeleteGermans,French and Italian vehicle makers are earning lots of money selling unreliable and expensive vehicles
China cars are cheap for one major reason.....quality.
ReplyDeleteParang wala naman problema chinese cars ngayon in terms of quality... I think the problem is parts availability and aftersales service. Tapos may tension pa between china and Philippines, so long term ownership is still questionable.
DeleteHonestly speaking I really like to buy Chinese Brand vehicles because fantastic Features, good design and very affordable prices but I'm hesitant to buy them because they are stealing our waters and bullying our army heroes. This china is a time bomb anytime to hit us hard. Il stick with Japanese or American cars.
ReplyDeleteI agree. We should not buy Chinese cars. They are bullies.
DeleteAlways remember that you get what you pay for.
ReplyDeleteI will not sacrifice build quality vs sophisticated features, I will stick with Japanese brands for now.
ReplyDelete